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Councillor Urges Review of Exeter’s CIL

The Exeter Green Party have called for a review into student accommodation after reportedly discovering that developers of student accommodation in the city have cost the council almost £1 million.

Exeter City Council's current Community Infrastructure Charging Levy (CIL) applies a 50% discount on levy fees compared to domestic construction.

According to Councillor Diana Moore, developers in her ward alone have been charged only £938,000 compared to almost £1.876 million if the levy had been applied at the same rate as residential construction.

She said: "The current charging levies are not fit for purpose. Developers have walked away with huge profits while what they pay through the levy structure has failed to provide the local infrastructure necessary for such developments."

"A new charging structure which abolishes the 50 per cent lower rate for student developments is long overdue. Given the significant and vibrant contribution students make to life in Exeter, it would be reasonable that a new form of relief be applied, but only where truly affordable accommodation is to be provided. We need affordable homes for all young people in the city."

Councillor Moore will now table a motion on behalf of the Progressive Group at the next full Council meeting calling for the discount to be scrapped.